GRANDMASTER VICENTE SANCHEZ

Grandmaster Vicente Sanchez, founder of Kali Arnis International, started learning the Filipino martial arts at the age of 17 in Pangasinan, training in the art of Cinco Terros under Master Antonio Javier, who worked with his father. He realized early on in his training that the Filipino martial arts had much more to offer than merely effective self defense. Four years later he started training in Kasilagan under Master Jhony Panuringan, and dedicated himself to mastering both arts.

In later years as a professional stuntman, he met Grandmaster Remy Presas through Master Roland Dantes and immediately started his training in Modern Arnis. GM Sanchez excelled in the art due to his many years of experience. As fate would have it GM Sanchez met another legendary Arnisador, Grandmaster Benjamin Luna Lema, on the set of the film "Sticks of death". They became close friends and GM Sanchez commenced his journey towards mastery of Lightning Scientific Arnis.

Grandmaster Vicente Sanchez is one of the most Senior Masters of both Modern Arnis and Lightning Scientific Arnis International. He is among the most respected Grandmasters in the Philippines today and is very active in promoting the art of Arnis.

He he has four children, Joseph O. Sanchez, Theresa O. Sanchez, Bernadette S. Sanchez, Vincent Paul O. Sanchez by his wife is Corazon M. Oliva. Grandmaster Vicente Sanchez is presently training his group of Junior, Senior and Master Instructors, in the advanced techniques of Arnis at the Marikina Sports Center, Marikina Sports Park.

GM Vicente R. Sanchez
Age : 71 yrs old
Birthday : April 25, 1934

Studied in University of the East College of Commerce (under graduate)
Founder and President of Kali Arnis International (KAI)
Teaching and propagating Arnis for more that 45 years.

Master of 4 major Arnis styles/systems:
1. Cinco Terros - under Master Antonio Javier - promoted in 1956
2. Kasilagan - under Master Jhony Panuringan - promoted in 1958
3. Modern Arnis - Balintawak - under GM Remy A. Presas - last promoted in 1994
4. Tersia serada, cadenilla Y espada Y daga - under GM Benjamin Luna Lema (Lightning Scientific Arnis Intl - LSAI) - promoted in 1978

Contributed to many major activities in Arnis:
1. Give seminars to coaches, Principals, teachers and PE instructors through out the Philippine sponsored by Department of Education, Culture and Sports in 1975 MAFP (Modern Arnis Federation of the Philippines).
2. Send by the Philippine Government to Japan by the department of Tourism in 1976 MAFP.
3. Trained Philippine Coast Guard in 1980-81.
4. Trained Military, Charlie Comapany 2nd Batallion 2nd Infrantry Regiment - 1980 - 1983 Kali Arnis International.
5. Coach of the Philippine Arnis team during 2nd World WEKAF Arnis Tournament in 1992 NARAPHIL.
6. Master of two Arnis National Champion Tournament namely:
a. Charlie Company - 1985 Kali Arnis International
b. Quirino High School - 1995 Kali Arnis International
7. Hold as Arnis consultant in Arnis Philippine in conducting seminars for the program of Defnse Secretary Orly Mercado "Arnis Train the Trainors" attended by AFP, PNP, NAVY, MARINE, DECS, CHED, & DILG.